24.111 | Spring 2005 | Undergraduate

Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics

Readings

The required text for the course is Albert. Quantum Mechanics and Experience. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1992. ISBN: 0674741129.

Hughes, R. I. G. The Structure and Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989. ISBN: 0674843916.

Maudlin. Quantum Non-locality and Relativity: Metaphysical Intimations of Modern Physics. Malden, MA: Blackwell, c2002. ISBN: 0631232214. (Highly recommended)

Additional readings (usually articles) will be handed out in class at various points throughout the course.

The material is, in most cases, trickier than meets the eye; read it twice.

Lec # TOPICS READINGS
1-3 Overview of Some Odd Phenomena Albert, Chapters 1 and 3; Hughes, Preface and Introduction; supplemental readings
4 Overview of Some Odd Phenomena (cont.)  
5-6 The Mathematical Formalism and Its Orthodox Interpretation Albert, Chapter 2; Hughes, Chapters 1-5; supplemental readings
7-8 The Mathematical Formalism and Its Orthodox Interpretation (cont.)  
9-16 The Measurement Problem and Attempted Solutions  Albert, Chapters 4-7; supplemental readings
17-19 Hidden Variables and Proofs of Their Impossibility Hughes, Chapter 6; supplemental readings
20-22 Quantum Extravagances Supplemental readings: topics may include one or more of quantum logic, quantum faster-than-light signaling, quantum teleportation, quantum computing
23-26 Composition and Identical Particles Supplemental readings

Course Info

Instructor
As Taught In
Spring 2005
Learning Resource Types
Lecture Notes
Written Assignments